The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) announced the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has joined the alliance as a destination member.

The representation of the Caribbean Tourism Organization is vast and includes: Anguilla, Antigua&Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Nevis, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, St. Barthelemy, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Vincent&the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad&Tobago, Turks&Caicos, US Virgin Islands, and Venezuela.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization exists to increase significantly the inclusion of the Caribbean region in the set of destinations being considered by travelers. CTO envisions the global recognition of the Caribbean as a growing set of places and experiences that people feel compelled to enjoy in their lifetime.

Its mission is to create and manage the partnerships necessary to increase the purchase of travel to and within the Caribbean that results in sustainable economic and social benefits for its people. The CTO, with headquarters in Barbados, comprises 32 member countries, including English, French, Spanish, and Dutch countries and territories, as well as private sector allied members. These include the Caribbean Hotel Association, companies, organizations, and persons providing products and services to the Caribbean tourism industry.

Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of ICTP, said: “This partnership with CTO is of huge importance to ICTP, amplifying our bottom-up links with communities, citizens, companies, and consumers in the region. Not only is this one of the most travelism-centric regions in the world, it is one of the most ecologically and climate sensitive. Small Island Developing States are particularly vulnerable to sea level rises, and the Caribbean’s coral reefs are a major part of our global biodiversity heritage. It’s also a great personal pleasure to work with CTO again - they have a long history of leadership in this area going back 20 years when we worked together to craft CAST - the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism.”

In the quest to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the vital tourism industry, the CTO member countries strive to improve their tourism management practices, whether at the public or private sector levels, in all possible spheres of operation.

ICTP Chairman Juergen T. Steinmetz said: “The Caribbean Tourism Organization believes that best practices are the most effective and efficient methods for doing things, while at the same time, minimizing risks and costs. The CTO also believes best practices must be relevant, realistic, and must be part of a continuous improvement strategy, and as such, must be based on the best available information and in the context of the region’s tourism development goals. This is a perfect fit with ICTP’s goals for quality tourism growth.”